Consolidation is killing US radio, report finds

15 formats make up three-quarters of American commercial radio programming, according to research released this week by the Future of Music Coalition (FMC).

The report looks at the radio industry since the 1996 Telecommunications Act, and claims "ownership consolidation at national and local levels has led to fewer choices in radio programming and harmed the listening public and those working in the music and media industries, including DJs, programmers and musicians."

The study says there is a lack of niche music formats on radio, such as classical, jazz and new rock — and that these styles are mainly provided by smaller outlets, ignored by the big groups.

And it's having an effect on audience, according to FMC research director Peter DiCola, who has looked at 155 radio markets and found that radio listenership declined by 22 per cent over the last 14 years.

An NAB spokesman responded to the findings in MediaWeek, saying: “Free local radio has more format diversity than at any time in its rich history. With the advent of HD Radio, local radio will be providing more news, more music formats, and more public service for the 260 million people who tune in every week."